Continuing our celebration throughout July of local high street heroes during Independent Retailer Month, meet our next trader...

Name: Stephen Jebb

Business: Tails-a-Waggin’

Location: 51 High Street, Mold

Telephone: 01352 759535

Opening hours: 10am-5pm and on market days (Wednesdays and Saturdays), open from 9.30am

When did you open and why?

We opened on January 4 this year. The previous owners retired and my wife Cal saw it advertised.

Initially she looked into it and was going to take it on, and then circumstances changed with delays in getting the keys. She ended up working elsewhere in the meantime.

When we did get the keys she stayed at her part-time job, so I left my full-time job and opened the shop.

From July 9 we will both be here full-time because my wife is going to be the full-time groomer in the salon at the back of the shop.

Why did you open in this location?

There was already a business here but we moved to the area three years ago and fell in love with Mold. I like the traditional old market town.

When the opportunity arose we did the homework and made the decision and here we are.

The Leader:

Tell us about your business/what do you sell?

We’re primarily a traditional high street pet shop selling food and accessories. We are going to be selling pets from next year and offering a grooming service from July 9.

The bulk of our business is the dog trade but we’re looking to modernise it a bit with some new brands and just to promote better health for people’s pets.

What’s your most memorable/proudest moment in business?

I think probably just getting it open. It was a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get it how it is.

We wanted to do a lot with it when we got the keys and we made the decision not to open before Christmas, just to get it right.

And getting a lot of positive comments from the public.

Have you had any strange requests/quirky suggestions or stories from customers?

I did have a lady ask for vegan dog food once, which took me by surprise. It’s a bit specialist.